Last night the 2010 Video Music Awards gave tribute to another year of Billboard music. And, predictably, music was not the only thing celebrated. The notoriously scandalous Lady Gaga had something else to preach to the 11.4 million viewers. Scantily clothed in a mini dress of the latest meat couture and with an entourage of homosexual veterans she protested the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" military policy.
As a devoted Gaga fan (yes, gotta have me some Bad Romance), I was not shocked by the outlandish display of protest by the pop diva. However, it got me to thinking, how does a pop star, or any musician, actor, or comedian, acquire credentials to speak out politically? And, to what extent does the media control our country's political opinions? To claim that there is disconnect between entertainment, including the music industry, and politics would be mindless.
This is no new phenomenon, however. Musicians have infamously used their power as public icons to display their political beliefs. In July, I saw Tool at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco (RIDICULOUS!). The former Dead Kennedys lead singer, Jello Biafra, opened with a quite bold political statement, "F*ck capitalism!" I quickly covered my gaping mouth but noticed that the other groundlings conformed without hesitation. Their fists stayed in the air, smiles continued on their faces, and their dancing long-lasted to the peculiar sounds (and mimes) of his political slurs. A shuffle through my ipod would reveal the political opinions from bands like Fugazi, Rage Against the Machine, and even Tool themselves.
We can continue to enjoy these talented artists' political anthems, but we must remember to listen critically!
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